The Beach Reporter Covers Blue Tie Gala

Children’s Bureau hosts inaugural ‘blue tie’ gala Nov 4

For more than 100 years the nonprofit Children’s Bureau has been working to prevent child abuse and treat victims. With more than 21 family resource centers throughout Southern California, their work is a stark reminder that child abuse is still a major issue.

On Saturday Nov. 4, the nonprofit hosts its inaugural Sky’s the Limit — Blue Tie Gala at the Museum of Flying in Santa Monica beginning at 6:30 p.m. The event features a multi-course meal by some of the best chefs in Los Angeles paired with fine wine, entertainment, and auction and dancing.

Manhattan Beach resident Matt Wilson, who serves on the board of directors and has been involved with Children’s Bureau for the past 10 years, said the organization chose the “blue tie” theme because blue is the universal color to recognize child abuse.

“The vision we have is that strong families and communities will foster strong children,” said Wilson, who chaired the fundraising arm of the charity for the past four years. “For me, I love children. I have three of my own, and the work (the nonprofit is) doing was really powerful.”

Wilson said he started volunteering for the group after learning about it from some colleagues in the financial sector in downtown Los Angeles where he works for Oak Tree Capital Management.

“We help more than 30,000 vulnerable children and parents every year in Southern California and I feel like we just scratch the surface,” Wilson said.

From the Antelope Valley to the north and as far south as Orange County, the nonprofit offers family support for those with children up to 5-years-old. They also provide training for first-time parents, mental health counseling and referrals in addition to foster care and adoption.

Formely known as the celebrity chef’s event, the Children’s Bureau Blue Tie Gala on Saturday represents its biggest fundraising event of the year where it’s expected to bring in more than $340,000.

“It’s nice to do something that’s making a difference in the community,” Wilson said. “It’s an organization from top to bottom you can truly feel that people are personally committed. They go above the call of duty.”